Historic Passaic: Industrial America and the Era of World War II (1870-1945)
Grades 9-12
American History, Industrial America, New Jersey History
Directions, References
Using map skills, students will develop the ability to see changes in the built environment as a continuing process connected by the experiences of generations who lived and worked in these same places.Working in groups, the students gather information relative to immigration, ethnicity, industry, and economics in Passaic over time in order to discuss environmental issues involved in industrial and technological progress, including the effects of industry on air and water quality, wildlife ecology. This lesson plan was developed for the Passaic High School Department of History by Christine Hilferty, of URS, Inc., in association with the New Jersey Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration. Courtesy Steve Tull and URS. (1.6 MB)

Prehistoric Passaic: The Ancient World, 1000 BC to 1000 ADGrades 9-12American History, World History, New Jersey History
Directions, References
Activities help students to explore the lives and settlement patterns of Native-American groups so as to develop a greater understanding of how archaeologists use material cultural remains to help them reconstruct the ancient past, as well as the limitations archaeologists face in doing so. Provides teachers with ways tools to relate the study of other cultures and technologies to those in the local area. This lesson plan was developed for the Passaic High School Department of History by Christine Hilferty, of URS, Inc., in association with the New Jersey Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration. Courtesy Steve Tull and URS. (1.6 MB)

James Dexter Activity Sheet
Grades 3-12
American History, African American History
Activity giving young people experience with how everyday objects can tell us about early American History. Created by the the Independence Park Institute and the Living History Center Archeology Lab at Independence National Historical Park. (1.4 MB)